The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-12

complaints were made to the Colonel
he found upon examination that the
damage was small, and rather than have
any trouble about il he paid the amount
out of his own pocket. When the peo-
pie learned that he was paying for
losses, every act of depreciation. that
was committed was charged to his men.
In this way the regiment soon gained
bad reputation. and it was openly ad-
yocated that the command should be
mustered out of service, as it was
claimed that they were disgrace to
the army. The young commander felt
these aspersions keenly.
ION the 23d of May, when all the
other regiments around Washington
were ordered to leave at midnight for
Alexandria, Colonel Ellsworth's COM
mand was not noticed. He went in
person to the President and begged
that his men be allowed to lead the ex-
petition. He explained that the only
safety for his men lay in his ability to
get them onto the field and into active
service. So anxious was he to have his
command start that he said to the Pres
ident that if, while on the trip, his men
were guilty of any act that would re-
Hect discredit on them or disgrace to
himself he would be willing that they
should be mustered out of service and
merged into other commands. He
came back to the regiment at ten
o'clock at night with his request
granted. The command was called
under arms and formed in. column of
-
Ellsworth then spoke to the men and
said:
".Boys, to-day I understood that a
movement was to be made into Viz
ginia. Invent to General Mansfield and
told him that demanded the right
of line as it was our right. beng the first
regiment of volunteers mustered into
service. All I can say is to prepare
yourselves for nice little sail, and at
the end of it perhaps q nice little
skirmish. When we reach the place
of destination act as men and do moth
ing to shame the regiment. Show tho
enemy you are men as we'll as soldiers,
and that you will treat them with
kindness until they force you to
violence. want you to kill them with
kindness. And no matter what may
happen, not q shot must be fired with
out orders. Go to your tents, lie down
and take your rest until two o'clock,
when our boat will arrive and We will
go forward to victory or to death.
"The trip across the river was made
that night, as is a well-known matter
of history, but instead of capturing the
town and the railway supplies as had
been intended, only the town was
taken and that without resistance.
There has been an attempt to blame
Colonel Ellsworth for the failure of the
scheme, but the reports of the war,
now being officially published. put the
blame where it belongs. We landed at
Alexandria before daylight. About
daybreak Colonel Ellsworth started to
leave his regiment, accompanied only
by the chaplain and the correspondents
OF the New York Times and Tribune.
As he was about to leave some one
suggested the propriety of taking q
guard with him. He then called Tor
the first squad on the right Of the first
company. This included sergeant
two corporals and two privates. was
one of the corporals. We had gone
three squares and turned south and
walked two squares when we came in
sight of the Marshall house. It was
three-story brick structure with an
attic and two wings. From the scuttle
on the roof fluttered rebel flag. The
rest of MS saw it as soon Is we turned
the corner, but / do not think the
Colonel did. As we reached the corner
he turned 10 the sergeant and told him
to 60 back to the regiment and tell
Captain Coyle TO hurry up here with
his company. l do not know whether
he had seen the flag or not, but have
never believed that he did. Some say
that he knew it was there and left the
company with the purpose of taking it
down. To me this does not appear
consistent with his actions, for If he
had known that the flag was exposed
and had intended taking it down by
force he would have taken the company
with him when he left the regiment
and not waited until he reached the
place and then sent back for them.
AFTER the sergeant left us Colonel
Ellsworth walked half the length of the
block at the side of the Marshall house
and had just stepped across the alley
when he stopped quickly. looked across
the street. and I believe then saw the
flag for the first time. have always
thought that when he saw the flag he
concluded it was not safe to leave il
hanging until his men came up. He
remembered the promise he had given
the President about the mems conduct
and he was afraid that If the flag was
allowed to hang and the members OF
his regiment saw it they would be SC
aroused that trouble would result.
think he believed the best plan was to
get the flag out of sight as quickly AZ
possible.
| HE stepped to the front of the hotel.
In the Office behind the counter sat
. man who, when asked by Colonel
Ellsworth if he was the proprietor, said
he was not He also denied putting
up the flag. We all passed up the